Monday, September 6, 2010

Westley knows how to do two tricks. And when I say tricks I really just mean something besides sitting, sleeping and walking. He's really apathetic for the most part actually...

Here we have Exhibit A, Westley stands on his hinds in anticipation for his favorite treat, and the only thing that makes him excited - a greenie.

Exhibit B - Westley lays on his back for unusually long amounts of time whilst getting the city wiped off him with Earth Bath wipes. Extra points for magically morphing into a character from the Fantastic Mr. Fox.

We're currently working on "shake" ... but I expect a grim outcome since I gave up on "sit" back in July.

Westley is too cute! You know, since he loves his 'greenies' so much - an easy way to slowly teach him to 'sit' is to hold the treat just above his nose when he is still in standing position (and do not give him the treat until he sits. You can actually manoeuvre the treat above his nose to manipulate a sitting position) and then as soon as you see his little tushie hit the floor, say 'sit'. And then just repeat! Dogs are all about repetition!!! He'll soon learn that 'sit' means good things. And dogs learn really fast for good things.

We adopted a dog ourselves about a year ago and we've had dogs all of our lives but this one! Wow! We had to do so much training with him. Both the dog and us :) We have a black labrador x kelpie named Gus.

Oh Westley! I love how the Greenie makes it look like he's wearing a bow tie. He looks like a bow tie kind of boy.

My Lucy (terrier mutt) is also pretty apathetic, except when it comes to naps, walks and food. She *will* do sit and shake--but only on a rug or carpeting. Apparently she is too fancy to do tricks on a hard surface.

my westie sleeps on her back like that! my favourite is when one side of her face gets all Fantastic Mr. Fox and the other side gets all Lion King. Good luck with "shake". Our rescue westie knew that one when we got him, but the other one can't figure it our no matter how hard we try!

Bravo! Your dog is probably the smartest dog I have ever seen. And just be patient :P Interact with your dog and just wait for him to sit dow by himself:P when he does you can give him some more of the green stuff XD